Anup Singh Beniwal, vice chancellor, Guru Gobind Singh Indraprastha University, talks to HT Education about what sets the university apart from others and its future plans

Anup Singh Beniwal, vice chancellor, Guru Gobind Singh Indraprastha University, talks to HT Education about what sets the university apart from others and its future plans

Why should a student opt to study at GGSIPU?IP University has been based on the premise of what the globalised world wants. Professional programmes such as BTech and IT and a holistic pedagogy are our USP. We upgrade and review our courses every two years. This is done by the research committees and the academic council. Steps such as introduction of supplementary exams to help students meet the promotion criteria for next year, online counselling, new courses like BTech, BBA, and BCom have been taken to attract more students.

Delhi University’s four-year undergraduate programme has not gone well with many students? Do you think a three-year format is ideal?We have become the first choice of students aspiring to pursue an undergraduate degree in Delhi, especially when it comes to our BCom course. Competition between a four-year and three-year format is academically unhealthy. If the general sentiment is gradually going against the four-year format, then DU’s loss could be our gain.

Tell us about the university’s future plans.We have been accredited for the second time with an ‘A’ grade by the National Assessment and Accreditation Council in January 2014. This goes to show that we are academically on the right trajectory. We are aiming for a paradigm shift in our academic structure by making our academic process more transparent and accountable so that we become more responsible and sensitive. We will follow a self-rigorous audit system as well which will also include steps such as bringing the controller of examinations under the citizen’s charter. We also aim to give more facilities needed for optimal growth of students.

Is the university planning to offer new courses?We wish to consolidate the current courses and want to be absolutely sure about a course before starting it. We recruit faculty first, followed by setting up of other resources, an incubation centre and the infrastructure required before we start a programme. We have recently started the BCom programme which is very popular. Our MA English and communication studies course is also unique in the sense that it combines study of literature and language. We are hoping to start arts and language courses from next year with a school of languages also being planned. A course on sports and spinal injuries is among other &shy;initiatives in the offing.